escalating violence in our community Become a member of the Sensible Sentencing Trust

Mouseover links for full page descriptions

Archived Press Releases 2006 17th June 2006

More sex attacks to come warns watchdog

(17th June 2006)

After a spate of sex attacks in recent days a justice watchdog group is warning of more to come.

The Sensible Sentencing Trust say that weak legislation, luxury prisons and civil liberties gone mad are a recipe for disaster and a guarantee that more violent attacks and horrific sex offences will occur.

Trust spokesman Garth McVicar was commenting after the recent spate of sex attacks in Auckland including the abduction of two teenage girls and the home-invasion and rape of a woman.

"None of these offenders will be first time offenders, yet when they are caught our ridiculous civil liberty and privacy laws will prevent the public knowing their past history, and our Courts will simply recycle them or bail them while they pick their next victim."

"Weak politicians and weak legislation are guaranteeing that more of these attacks will happen and more innocent women will be assaulted. Even when these sexual predators are caught they get bail or go to a luxury unit in one of our prisons."

McVicar said prison was no deterrent, and many offenders were re-offending simply because life in prison was a breeze and better than what most had at home.

The Sensible Sentencing Trust launched a campaign last week to change the Bail Act to ensure violent offenders and repeat offenders were not eligible for bail.

McVicar said that certain Judges were putting the community at risk, and the Trust had written to all MP’s last week asking for an urgent amendment to the Bail Act to ensure this category of offender did not receive bail.

"If Judges won’t do their job and protect the public from violent offenders then we need to introduce legislation to ensure the public are protected."

Regards,

Garth McVicar
National Spokesperson,
Sensible Sentencing Trust.